Joe Burrow laments Bengals missing out on international game

In the United States, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has voiced his disappointment regarding the team's schedule for the upcoming 2025 NFL season. After missing the postseason the previous year, the Bengals' front office took significant steps to enhance the team's roster, including re-signing star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Despite these improvements, the Bengals’ schedule, announced recently, revealed that they will not be participating in any international games this season. This news has particularly upset Burrow, who desired the opportunity to play on the international stage as part of his efforts to grow the game globally. The NFL released the entire regular-season schedule for all teams, highlighting some notable matchups, including one of three Thanksgiving games which features the Bengals facing off against their AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. This game will take place in Baltimore, marking the fourth consecutive year the Bengals will have played in primetime against the Ravens on Thanksgiving. Burrow referred to this aspect of the schedule as less than ideal, expressing a wish for such games to be held in Cincinnati in the future, indicating his desire to play in a more favorable environment. Burrow's frustration stems not only from the lack of international exposure but also from recurring nighttime games against the Ravens, particularly given their recent competitive matchups which were decided by narrow margins. He mentioned the close scores from the previous encounters, where the Bengals lost to the Ravens by a total of just four points throughout two games. Burrow's goal to promote the game internationally over the last 18 months, coupled with his acknowledgment of the importance of these international games, adds layers to the sentiment he shared with the media. In addition to the disappointment regarding the Bengals’ schedule, Burrow also noted the significance of international games in expanding the NFL's reach. He has been actively engaged in efforts to grow the game worldwide and sees participating in international games as a vital part of that initiative. With the NFL's sprawling reach and plans for games overseas, Burrow hopes to see a schedule that includes international travel at some point in his career. As the 2025 season approaches, expectations for the Bengals are tempered with Burrow's visible dissatisfaction with the upcoming schedule, marking a challenging start for the team.